Do Job Seekers Have to Use Social Networks?

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With so many hiring managers using Google to check on candidates the danger is that perception overcomes reality. I agree just because you do not have an online presence does not make you unsuccessful, I have many clients with little or no online brand. However the perception might be no presence = no good.
Wrong yes, but with more candidates vying for every position the hiring manager has to make decisions, the resume is usually the first one the next might be online brand.
Also there is the opportunity to use the online networks to gain employee referrals or informational insights in to a company - again I have had many cases where clients have been able to do this with great effect.
If you do not want to be on the social networks that certainly is your choice, but be ready for rejection because of it.
Just my toonies worth.

Paul Copcutt - Square Peg 8:47PM October 12, 2009

I'm on those social networks, job hunting, and you're right, they are a resource, nothing more or less. Use if you like.
One area where they really shine, for me anyway, is when an interview is scheduled I'm able to use Facebook or LinkedIn to get a sense of the interviewer. Makes you feel a little more confident going in if you know what they look like, things they like, etc.
And of course, employers can (and do) search these social networks for info about candidates. I think the number is at 46% of firms admit to using the sites to screen potential candidates. Beware what you post… and if you're not comfortable having it read back to you in front of your grandmother, don't post it.
Thanks for sharing,
Sue

Susan Morgan of NH 3:44PM October 09, 2009

A recent article questioned the values of recruiters, since many found them to be a worthless, hostility caused by too many dead-ends, unreturned phone calls, etc. For myself, recruiters, and the social networks that sometimes bring them to me, are a necessity. I am software developer, primarily for the financial industry in VBA for MS Excel and Access, and secondarily with other languages like C#, VB.NET, ASP.NET, HTML and PHP. I find the job market is pretty hungry for my skills, and my current spot was acquired through LinkedIn.
I have worked with websites for over 10 years, professionally and personally, and see them as a kind of marketing tool; part of one of my business school application essays was a website. I have always maintained a strong profile on the job sites, as well as maintained my own personal/professional sites, so when social networking came along, it became another avenue for development, and I naturally 'groom' my web presence. But, what works for me, a person that typically gets calls from many recruiters via the job sites, the professional social networking sites are just another step. For others, who don't have the luck, interest, inclination, or ability to pull in contacts via the web, those same sites are a waste of time.
I do not get many calls from people that I network with, except those from former clients, although the recruiters that find me might, either because another developer passed my contact info on - I recently was introduced to a recruiter on LinkedIn via the HR head of a firm I interviewed for but was not hired by - or because they have a 'in' with the hiring manager. I was joking to myself yesterday, that the recruiters are my professional networkers, the people paid to do all the social stuff I don't.

James Igoe of NY 6:43AM September 24, 2009

Yes, job seekers are using social networking website for search job. For more details please visit http://www.angstcorner.com/

Angstcorner of AK 5:06AM September 23, 2009

Here's something I don't understand about this whole social networking craze, especially when it comes to seeking employment.
We've been repeatedly told as job candidates to NOT send a photo along with our resumes. Hiring managers who get training in hiring (which few do) are advised by HR to discard any photos submitted to avoid discrimination lawsuits.
Yet nowadays employers Google candidates before interviews. Why then is it okay to post a picture of yourself online which an employer can find on Facebook, MySpace, etc. yet not to send one by snail mail?

Greg of CA 3:11PM September 22, 2009

I like to use all of those social networking sites - however, my issue is that I'm connected to so many people and some of them are weak connections, so I'm not sure how to leverage them. I think there's value in being able to network privately, with people that you actually have relationships with. I think that supplements open networking activity on LinkedIn, etc.
There's an app called WhoDoYouKnowAt.com that launched at DEMO today that allows you to network with those that you know.

Rebecca Schroeder of CA 10:57AM September 22, 2009

For extra safety, you don't have to list the workplace if you do not want to. You can simply state the industry and leave the company name off (I know many like to use the name as a good tool, and it has benefits in terms of search by recruiters, but for added safety, some may wish to leave that off--personal preference).
My workplace is great. My employer lets the PAWS doggies in once a month (to promote adoption of the lovable pups). PAWS stands for (Pets Are Worth Saving), by the way. A great organization.

Angie Koutrotsios of IL 10:24PM September 21, 2009

LinkedIn seems like a good one, because your former colleagues may have moved on, and so then you're just getting the standard "name, rank, and serial number" reference check from the HR department. It's not bad (especially if you're eligible for rehire, obviously), but the candidates with more than just the name-rank-number reference checks tend to do better in a job search. Whenever someone can get a manager, a former client/account, or a co-worker to say more than just "so-and-so worked here from thus-and-such a date and is eligible for rehire," they have more detailed information.
So, if former managers have moved on to another company, and you've missed them during the move until back on the job hunt, LinkedIn is a great tool for actually keeping up with and finding people years later. That can be a pretty handy tool, I'd say.
The only negative thing that I found with regards to LinkedIn is that not enough people are using it! (frowns)
I still can't find two former managers, both of whom would give an excellent reference, and it's mainly because neither one is even on LinkedIn (frowns again).
HR is definitely an acceptable alternative (and some companies have it as an iron clad rule that everything goes through HR anyways, depending on the size of the company), but it's still nice to be able to find people in the future, even if just to have a variety of contacts on your references list, so that in a tough job market, you aren't always having the exact same people bugged and bugged with reference check phone calls from a bunch of different hiring managers. You can split up various contacts and not have the exact same former colleagues on alert for that phone call you told them to expect.
It's also more polite to be considerate of the time of your former contacts, as well, which is another good reason to split your contacts among a couple of different reference lists.
So, to touch base again if out of contact for a while (as in the case where someone switches companies), LinkedIn just seems like the cream of the crop in terms of networking sites.
Also, if people (wisely) plan on starting up their own side business, like doing consulting work, for example, LinkedIn is a must.
Finally, people never look like they are obviously being "job seekers" if they just consistently maintain a LinkedIn page. It's not considered a faux pas to be on LinkedIn, because so many use it whether seeking something different or happy where they are currently working. It's just a great tool if used wisely.
All the campus career offices are recommending LinkedIn, to be honest.

Angie Koutrotsios of IL 10:18PM September 21, 2009

Way to go, Alison. Skepticism about online social networks is not en vogue. But you are so right. It's like a religion with some people. Which should be evidence enough of what is going on here.

Craig Colgan of DC 9:21PM September 21, 2009

But why limit yourself to just those opportunities that don't require a resume? There will always be an example of someone who succeeeded despite all the odds, but why stack the odds against yourself?

Bob of DC 6:36PM September 21, 2009